Presidents Message
I am delighted to have been appointed President of the National Council of ANCA and I thank my predecessor, Professor Peter Roennfeldt, for his dedicated work in maintaining a financially viable ANCA and an energized National Council. I look forward to working with fellow National Council members, in supporting and coordinating the work of the various state chapters. I am also delighted that the very capable and experienced Debra Shearer-Dirié has agreed to continue in the role of Administrator.
Australia has a huge number of successful and vital choirs and choral organizations. It is ANCA’s role to support those organizations and run events that are not easily mounted by individual choirs. In this way ANCA can act for the collective good of all Australian choral singers and conductors and those who support them. I believe that National Council’s role is to find ways to serve the interests of ANCA members across Australia. And we recognize the challenges created by the vast distances that characterize our country.
National Council has now begun to meet regularly and to discuss and action a range of measures to grow ANCA. We will be increasing the benefits to members in various ways, which will include the improvement of the website and Singout magazine. We have resolved to welcome on to the National Council further new members, including a Treasurer and a Secretary. We also wish to see a representative from each state chapter as well as each state President in an ex-officio capacity. We aim to represent the whole of Australia. These extra members are important in order to achieve the necessary action to make ANCA as vital and effective as everyone wishes.
I look forward to finding new ways for the National Council to support and assist each state chapter in their own ventures. It is my vision to see each state chapter with an effective and manageable program of exciting events and look forward to finding new ways to support the financial viability of those ventures. I am eager to meet state chapter presidents and members in due course to discuss priorities identified by each state chapter. National Council has begun formulating protocols whereby state activities can be coordinated with other states where possible. It is vital that there is a good relationship between the state chapters and National Council. I look forward to doing everything possible to ensure this.
Finally, we seek to broaden the membership base of ANCA. We welcome feedback and ideas as to how this can be better achieved and encourage you all to consider contacting National Council with your ideas. They will be gratefully received. Open communication is vital.
As my predecessor, Professor Peter Roennfeldt asserted, the teamwork side of things is what makes choral music so special. That teamwork should be anchored in the State chapters, as well as the National Council level.
Michael Fulcher
ANCA National President
